Bio

Dr. Asaf Bar-TuraExecutive DirectorSMART

Asaf Bar-Tura serves as the Executive Director of SMART in San Francisco. Through a unique model that begins in 4th grade and goes all the way to college, SMART provides low-income students access to an exceptional education and the skills needed to thrive in college and in life. SMART's comprehensive program includes in-school support, after-school programming, summer enrichment, as well as college and career preparation. The high-touch work with students and their families includes financial, academic, and social-emotional support designed to remove obstacles and provide opportunities.

Bar-Tura holds a PhD in political theory from Loyola University Chicago, where his research focused on the intersection of digital media design and democratic participation. He has published academic articles on topics ranging from economic policy to digital technology and democracy, and have given talks in universities across the country. Bar-Tura also served as a Commissioner on the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, to which he was appointed by the Governor of Illinois.

Prior to SMART, Bar-Tura served as Chicago Director of The Posse Foundation, one of the top college access and youth leadership development programs in the nation. Before joining Posse, Bar-Tura led initiatives as Director of Programs and Operations at the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs (JCUA), an organization dedicated to combating poverty, racism and anti-Semitism in partnership with Chicago's diverse communities through advocacy, organizing and community development. Prior to his work at JCUA, Bar-Tura served as a program director for an educational program in an under-resourced public school in New York City.

In addition to his extensive experience in non-profit environments, Bar-Tura has also specialized in improving organizational processes and program evaluation. After serving as a lieutenant in the Israeli Defense Forces, he was invited to join a special unit tasked with evaluating the Israeli Army’s training programs. As part of this initiative, he interviewed high-level officers, analyzed large systems and training plans, and ultimately submitted detailed reports with recommendations and executive summaries to the Army’s top officer.

Prior to his PhD, Bar-Tura earned an MA in political theory from Loyola University Chicago, and a BA in Politics, Government and Philosophy from Ben Gurion University in Israel.